Title:  Lead, Supplier Quality Engineer - Optics

Job Title: Lead, Quality Engineering (Optics Commodity)

Job Code: 22901

Job Location: Londonderry, NH

Job Schedule: 1st shift - 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

Lead Optics Supplier Quality projects to ensure internal, customer, regulatory and 3rd party requirements are defined, procured to, measured and continuously improved. Drive impactful improvements in Optics supplier performance. Lead issuance of Optics Supplier Corrective Actions and support supplier root cause investigations to identify effective corrective action initiatives which address Material and Service defects, non-conformances, and/or compliance gaps. Drive Supplier quality execution and interact with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Engineering personnel to maintain high quality deliveries from Supply base.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and enhance optical supplier quality programs ensuring compliance with precision optics manufacturing and inspection standards.
• Lead an Integrated Product Team (supplier quality, procurement, subcontract managers, supply chain engineering) as the optics supplier quality representative, presenting quarterly to supply chain leadership.
• Perform cost analysis on defective optical components, implementing solutions to reduce the cost of poor quality and improve supplier performance.
• Continuously improve optical supplier quality assurance by refining incoming inspection methodologies, including advanced metrology for optical components.
• Monitor, analyze, and improve supplier performance with a focus on optical coatings, lens assembly, and precision optics manufacturing processes.
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing teams to enhance optical system design for manufacturability, ensuring supplier alignment with product performance requirements.
• Conduct supplier audits specific to optical component fabrication (glass molding, coatings, precision assembly) and ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Support product development reviews for optical systems, assisting suppliers in meeting stringent optical performance and reliability criteria.
• Lead supplier risk assessments with a focus on optical materials, coatings, and precision tolerances; implement mitigation strategies for supplier corrective actions and improvement plans.
• Define and oversee annual operational plans for optical supplier quality, integrating continuous improvement initiatives for precision optical components.
• Interface with customers and program representatives to ensure optical system quality meets required specifications and environmental standards throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead corrective action investigations for optical defects, including root cause analysis on coating adhesion failures, lens deformation, and optical contamination issues.
• Conduct source inspections of optical components, ensuring adherence to MIL-PRF, ISO 9001, and AS9100 standards for optics.
• Mentor and train supplier quality engineers specializing in optical systems, sharing expertise in metrology, contamination control, and optical manufacturing processes.
• Develop and implement best practices for optical supplier quality assurance, focusing on precision machining, coatings, and surface quality inspection.
• Requires 50-75% travel with a focus on New England-based suppliers specializing in optical fabrication and coating technologies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years Supplier Quality Engineering relevant experience preferably in optics, display technologies Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering related discipline (e.g. Optical Engineering, Material Science, Molding, Systems, etc.). Prefer a Master’s degree for advanced expertise in optics and supplier quality management.
• 7-9 years experience in any of the following positions in a Regulated company (Defense or Aerospace preferred):  Quality Engineer, Quality Assurance, Process Engineer
• 7-9 years experience with supply chain management / supplier management processes, tools, and techniques
• 6 years experience with Failure Mode Effects Analysis is desired (e.g. DFMEA, PFMEA)
• 6 years experience with continuous improvement related analysis tools and techniques (e.g. design for six sigma, root cause analysis, statistical process control, lean manufacturing techniques, Failure Reporting Analysis and Corrective Action Systems (FRACAS))
• 6 years’ hands on experience with and knowledge of AS9100 Quality Management System and AS9102 First Article requirements
• Hands-on experience with optical lens, Scratch-Dig Measurement and Analysis
• Familiarity with clean room Assembly Processes for Optical Assembly
• Professional certification is desired (e.g. APICS, PMP, CMP, Quality Engineering, Six Sigma)
• QMS Lead auditor experience
• Excellent communication and teambuilding skills and an ability to manage relationships with internal and external customers, fostering a relationship of trust and mutual respect

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